As
we leave Ozone Park Station and head towards Liberty Avenue, we see that
the elevated rail road structure continues along the ROW. The tracks
that lie above this structure originally supported a four track configuration
in this area.
This is the
signal tower that serviced the OZONE interlock tower. During the
racing season, empty trains would be stored on the express tracks between
Aqueduct and OZONE.
Today, the signal tower has become somewhat of a landmark. A giant
iron spider was hoisted up to the signal tower, and hung from the tower
support beams. The steel spider has watched over the abandoned Rockaway
Beach Branch for many years. Not many of the locals that I talked
to knows who put the spider up on the tower.
A closer
view of the spider. The spider has intricate details; notice the
double legs and it's head! I guess one can classify this as a work
of art. Who to give the credit to is another question all together.
This
is the base of the OZONE interlock signal tower. The tower is in
remarkably good shape, and it was built to last. There is very little
rust on the steel support beams and girders.
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